TCELT Research seminar - May 2026

Speaker Biography

Dr. Bart Rienties is Professor of Learning Analytics and Director of the Institute of Educational Technology (IET) at the Open University UK (OU). Since IET was established in 1970 we have been central to the OU’s mission to be the world leader in researching, innovating and delivering supported, open and distance learning. As educational psychologist, he conducts multi-disciplinary research on work-based and collaborative learning environments and focuses on the role of social interaction in learning, which is published in leading academic journals and books. His primary research interests are focussed on Learning Analytics, Learning Design, and the role of motivation in learning. Furthermore, Bart is interested in broader internationalisation aspects of higher education. He has successfully led a range of institutional / national / European projects, currently leads the £5M Research Capacity Hub for ESRC, and has received a range of awards for his educational innovation projects. He is President of the Society of Learning Analytics Research (SoLAR), the largest researcher community on learning analytics.

Abstract

This interactive talk builds on the Research Capability Hub (RCH), which is a new innovative £5M programme, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), to deliver training and create a community of practice that will build the capacity of social science researchers in the UK, which will be available online for non-UK researchers. Amongst the questions and topics to be discussed are: 1) what research skills, trainings, and support are useful?; 2) What future research skills, training and support would be useful?; 3) A discussion on what you have learned from your academic journey thus far.; 4) an exercise of which skills, training and support would be important in next five years (4) take part in hands-on activities. The results of this talk will help to shape the topics, focus and approaches of the 50+ research courses that will become available to the community in the next 5 years. To find out more, please go to www.rch.ac.uk

If you do not have a link to join, please email [email protected]